Crawling Is Important Most infants will begin to crawl on their stomach at eight months of age, and begin to crawl on their hands and knees a month later. Crawling on hands and knees is a very important developmental milestone for many reasons. However, it is common for parents to say their child skipped crawling…
Why Babies Wear Helmets by Nicole Campbell, PT, DPT Kids Place West Pediatric Physical Therapist Ever noticed a baby wearing a helmet and wondered why? The short answer is to help shape their head. Babies are born with ‘soft spots’ or bones in their skull that have not fused together. This is so a baby…
Adaptive Sport Programs and Recreation Resources for Children with Disabilities Individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities experience problems with their overall health including higher rates of obesity when compared to their typically developing peers. Obesity is a worldwide health concern that is not often tracked in children and youth with disabilities over their lifespan. Children…
Holiday Gifts to Encourage Improvements in Gross Motor Skills by Danielle Burke, DPT Kids Place West Pediatric Physical Therapist Infants Pop Up Toys: Encourage reaching in multiple developmental positions such as quadruped (hands and knees), tall kneeling, and standing. (pictured toy $25 on Amazon) Floor Activity Mirror: Encourages child to look up while on their…
Pitt Hopkins Syndrome Awareness by Lauren Bacsalmasi, DPT Kids Place Central Pediatric Physical Therapist Pitt Hopkins is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a gene called TCF4 in chromosome 18. While this disorder is considered to be very rare, diagnosis is becoming more common with increased access to genetic testing. It is associated with other disorders…
How to Fit Your Child Properly in a Car Seat by Justina Valgento DPT Kids Place Pediatric Physical Therapist It is important that all children are safe and secure in a car during short and long distances. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), a proper fitting child safety seat reduces the…
The Importance of Crawling for Babies and Older Children by Lauren Bacsalmasi, DPT Kids Place Central Pediatric Physical Therapist Frequently, we hear from parents of children who start walking without crawling, or they only scooted on their bottoms. It is important that children, even ones who are already walking, learn the skill of crawling and…
Yoga for Kids by Julia Meriwether Student of Physical Therapy The fundamental purpose of yoga is to promote balance in the body, mind, and environment. It is a low-impact form of physical activity which includes breathing techniques (pranayama), postures (asanas), relaxation and meditation. Yoga at an early age encourages self-esteem and body awareness with physical…
Understanding the Diaphragm by Brittany Witherell Student Physical Therapist The diaphragm is an important organ we use to breathe. Although breathing is the diaphragm’s primary function, did you know it has many more important functions? It also helps with postural control which helps us stand tall and balance. It also plays a vital role in…
